Striving for a better world: a brand new IT Master’s with a sustainability focus

Make an impact against fake news or climate change through technology. Thanks to information technology, the struggle against foodwaste or corruption can be addressed and sustainably developed. How can this be accomplished? Post-grads will learn how on this new MSc in IT, Digitalization and Sustainability. Peter H Wullschleger, Head of the Degree Program has developed a degree with a highly future-oriented and intercultural angle.

Deutsche Version

By Yasmin Billeter

Mr Wullschleger, from Fall 2022, the Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts, School of Computer Science and Information Technology will be offering the MSc in IT, Digitalization and Sustainability. Can you tell us how information technology can support or enable sustainability?

It’s very simple. Digital transformation in terms of economy and society is a global, on-going process. To cope with future demands and developments, all areas of society and economy must become more sustainable, for example, in areas such as renewable energies or improved recycling systems, but also in creating equal opportunities for all of us or fighting poverty.

Is there more to sustainability than fighting climate change?

Often, when hearing the term sustainability, Greta Thunberg immediately springs to mind. The fact is, though, that sustainable development is so much more than simply environmental aspects. Our focus is on all 17 of the sustainable development goals as set out by the UN. They include economic, social and also environmental and ecological dimensions of sustainability.

Can information technology assist in all areas?

Yes, there are links in all areas. Sustainability and technology come into contact with each other in all these areas.

Can you give us some examples?

For example, using artificial intelligence to combat corruption. Or, consider how cyber security is vital in fighting hybrid forms of war. Yet another example is how food waste apps can be applied to reduce the amount of food ending up on food heaps, a direct link to SDG 2. A final example is how we can use machine learning to prevent the spread of fake news and thereby improve peace.

The Master’s degree is explorative, innovative and future-oriented.

So the aim of the new Master’s degree is to find solutions for all the world’s significant challenges? Isn’t that rather utopian?

The issue with sustainability is that most of us don’t take it seriously enough, hoping that the next generation will take care of it. But, at some point it will be too late. This degree is a step in the right direction, and a start. What many might not know is that until now, there has been no degree like it. We do not have any ready-made solutions; indeed, the Master’s degree is explorative, innovative and future-oriented.

It’s a fully taught-in-English Master’s degree and is aimed at an international student body.

What exactly is taught in the Master’s degree?

Students will learn what’s possible and how they can help shape the future. In the first two semesters, the delve into the following subjects and technologies: Intercultural Collaboration, Project Management & Leadership, Digital Transformation, Natural Language Processing & Information Systems as well as Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning. All of these subjects will be linked to the UN’s 17 SDG’s. It’s a fully taught-in-English Master’s degree and is aimed at an international student body. Students will work together in projects and learn from each other.

In the second half of the degree, the students will take part in a compulsory semester abroad at one of our partner universities, and they will be able to choose their area of specialization. They will be free to choose a dual degree or joint degree, thereby attaining a Swiss degree as well as an international degree. Further, students can opt to continue on to PhD studies at one of our partner universities in Switzerland or abroad.

We will only be able to solve the world’s urgent problems if we cooperate internationally. Internationality is highly valuable.

Why do intercultural aspects play such a central role in this Master’s degree?

We will only be able to solve the world’s urgent problems if we cooperate internationally. Internationality is highly valuable. Where would Switzerland be if there was no international trade? Globalization has been somewhat braked by the recent pandemic, but it will no doubt remain of importance.

What type of student would be ideal for this program?

They should be self-confident and curious, have a sound understanding of technology and excellent communication skills. Sustainability and international cooperation should also be important to them. It is not a Master’s degree for the individual; but for those who are willing to face the world’s challenges in teams. There will undoubtedly be intercultural differences between the students, but this will make it even more exciting.

How will the practical aspect be included?

We will include case studies and projects as core elements of the program. The Master’s dissertation will involve research and so students will deal with a practically oriented research question or a concrete project from a real-life situation.

We will be training our students for any and all future jobs in these areas.

What sort of job prospects might the students expect upon graduation?

From the outset, the focus of this Master’s has been on the future. The future will be faced with digital transformation, IT and sustainability. So, we will be training our students for any and all future jobs in these areas. There is plenty of demand, as can be seen on job portals such as jobs.ch.

How important is the topic of sustainability for the School of Computer Science and Information Technology in general?

Until now, sustainability has not been particularly present in our curriculum. No doubt, certain elements and outcomes from the modules in this Master’s degree will have an influence and impact on electives and possibly even core modules at Bachelor’s level. As a department, we will also need to develop and address the sustainability goals. This new Master’s degree is a step in the right direction.

Published: 4 March 2022